Coronavirus and self-isolation after being in contact with a positive case in England: 4 to 8 May 2021

• Data collected from 4 to 8 May 2021 show that the majority (93%) of those who had contact with a positive coronavirus (COVID-19) case fully adhered to the self-isolation requirements throughout their 10-day isolation period.

• Compliance with self-isolation guidance for the full isolation period was statistically significantly higher among those who developed symptoms of COVID-19 (97%), compared with those who did not (92%).

• Most people (97%) reported having no contact with non-household members across their full period of isolation.

• Of those who reported non-adherent behaviour, 87% left their house at least once during the isolation period for a non-permitted reason.

• Approximately one-third (34%) of all respondents reported that self-isolation had a negative effect on their well-being and mental health, and 25% reported having lost income because of self-isolation.

• The results of this survey show no significant difference in understanding of, or full adherence to, the self-isolation guidance when compared with the results of the previous two surveys (1 to 10 April 2021 and 19 to 24 April 2021).

Statistician's comment

“It’s reassuring to see the vast majority of people told they’ve been in contact with someone with COVID-19 stick to the self-isolation guidance designed to protect others and stop the spread of the virus.

“However, it is apparent that isolation can have a negative impact on a person’s well-being as well as potentially have an impact on income for some.

“We will continue to monitor people’s adherence to self-isolation and the impact it can have on them.”

Tim Gibbs, Public Services Analysis team, Office for National Statistics.

Follow the Public Services Analysis team on Twitter: @HughStick

Since December 2020, there has been a legal duty in England to self-isolate for 10 days if you have received a positive test result, if you live in the same household as a person who has symptoms of the coronavirus (COVID-19), or if you have been in close contact with, but do not live with, a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.

The data presented in this bulletin were collected from individuals (“contacts”) who had been identified as having been in contact with someone who had tested positive for COVID-19. The data were collected at the point when this population had recently reached (or were near to) the end of their self-isolation period.

More information on identifying this group of people, self-isolation and collecting the data can be found in the Glossary and Measuring the data sections.

The majority (93%) of respondents during 4 to 8 May 2021 reported fully adhering to requirements throughout the whole self-isolation period, as shown in Table 1.

Despite the easing of certain lockdown restrictions on 12 April 2021, the proportion of those who had contact with a positive coronavirus (COVID-19) case and did not adhere to self-isolation requirements throughout their 10-day isolation period reduced to 7% between 4 and 8 May 2021, compared with 10% between 1 and 10 April 2021. This finding is statistically significant.

In the first 24 hours after being notified to start self-isolating, the percentage who did adhere to the isolation requirements was 97%. It was then 95% during the period after the first 24 hours until the end of self-isolation.

Those who developed COVID-19 symptoms were significantly more likely to adhere to guidance (97%) compared with those who did not develop symptoms (92%).

Of all respondents, 4% experienced difficulties while self-isolating or with getting a COVID-19 test. Of those who were employed, 7% reported that their employer did not know they were required to self-isolate; 20% of those who were working prior to self-isolation were not paid during isolation.

Figure 1 shows that those who did not adhere to self-isolation guidance were less likely than those who did adhere to agree that:

• it was important to follow self-isolation advice
• it was easy for them to self-isolate
• coronavirus posed a risk to society, their friends and family, or themselves
• information from the government about coronavirus could be trusted

The majority (97%) of those required to self-isolate reported having no contact with non-household members throughout the whole self-isolation period. This had significantly increased since the data collection period between 1 and 10 April 2021, which was prior to easing of restrictions.

The proportion of respondents who did not have contact with a non-household member was similar in the first 24 hours of self-isolation (97%) compared with the rest of the isolation period (99%). Of those who had contact with a non-household member at least once, more than half (56%) met two to five non-household members at any one time. (Please note that the latter estimate is based on a sample of fewer than 30.)

Respondents were asked about their interpretation of the requirements for self-isolation to determine how well they understood them. Around three-quarters (72%) fully understood the requirements, compared with around one-quarter (27%) who either misunderstood or were unsure. This was similar across all age groups.

In the first 24 hours of self-isolation the proportion of those who understood the guidance completely and adhered to it was similar to those who misunderstood or were unsure of the guidance (98% and 94% respectively). Across the whole period of self-isolation those who understood the guidance were significantly more likely to adhere to it (95%) compared with those who misunderstood or were unsure of the guidance (86%).

Self-isolation

Self-isolation refers to not leaving your home because you have been informed by NHS Test and Trace that you are a contact of a person who has had a positive test result for the coronavirus (COVID-19). You must stay at home and complete 10 full days of isolation. It is a legal requirement to self-isolate if you have been notified to by the NHS Test and Trace service. Your isolation period includes the date of your last contact with them and the next 10 full days. If you develop symptoms, stay at home and arrange to have a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19. In addition to staying home, if you are self-isolating you should not receive visitors, unless the purpose of the visit is to provide essential care.

For further information please see NHS guidance When to self-isolate and what to do.

Lockdown

On 5 January 2021, the UK government announced a further national lockdown for England. On 22 February 2021, the UK government published a four-step roadmap to ease lockdown restrictions in England. Step 2 of the roadmap (which allowed the re-opening of more businesses and activities) was implemented on 12 April 2021, before data in this survey were collected. Step 3 (which eased limits on social contact and allowed further re-opening of businesses and activities) was implemented on 17 May 2021, which was after the data in this survey were collected.

Survey information

The latest quality and methodology information on data from the COVID Test and Trace Contacts Insights Survey can be found in Coronavirus and self-isolation after being in contact with a positive case in England methodology.

Estimates for this survey

The data were collected between 4 and 8 May 2021. The sample consisted of 918 adults and was stratified to be representative of the age, sex and regional distribution of the “contacts” population.

Percentages in this report are based on weighted counts that are representative of the population of adults (aged 18 years or over) notified as being in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 between 5 April and 3 May 2021 and are adjusted to address age, sex and regional bias in responses.

Of those potential respondents who were successfully contacted by an interviewer, the response rate was 52%. When including cases where contact was attempted but not made, the response rate was 17%. As with all surveys, these estimates have an associated margin of error.

Respondents were randomly sampled through the Contact Tracing and Advice Service (CTAS) database, held by NHS Test and Trace. The majority (99%) of respondents were interviewed within four days of the end of their self-isolation period, in order to minimise recall bias. The longest time between the end of self-isolation and interview was five days.

Information on the strengths and limitations of this survey are available in Coronavirus and self-isolation after being in contact with a positive case in England methodology.